GHOST @ Chicago Open Air – Bridgeview, IL
May 18, 2019
Photos by David Urmanski
Website: www.Ghost-Official.com
Devil worshipping rock ministry, Ghost, spread its unholy gospels tricking concert-goers at the Chicago Open Air music festival Saturday evening into believing that doomsday is near and the end is ultimately a good thing. Standing motionless and anonymous beneath various face-concealing costumes including a prosthetic mask with black-colored eye makeup and multi-colored eyes donned by the “new leader”, Cardinal Copia, as well as shimmering, metallic masks and black tuxedos mimicked by the Nameless Ghouls and Ghoulettes, the band delivered their rendition of metal gone mainstream rock music which glorify and glamorize the disgusting and sacrilegious.
While Ghost is no stranger to the local stage and proves to be a regular staple at various music festivals and concert venues throughout the Midwest, there appeared to be a handful of rock fanatics in the crowd who had yet to experience the Ghost phenomena in a live setting. As witnessed again Saturday evening, this eccentric rock band hailing from Linkoping, Sweden continues to live up to their reputation of providing a high-energy performance, momentous and unforgettable riffs, a thunderous rhythm section and haunting chants and vocals leaving adoring fans wanting more long after the stage lights go down.
When it comes to visual appeal, Ghost’s picturesque production was equally impressive with stylized scenery featuring the construction of an antithesis Roman Catholic Church landscape not seen since the likes of Ozzy Osbourne’s castle set during the Diary of a Madman tour in the early 1980’s. Brilliant lighting, dense fog and a flowing flight of stairs leading to the ghouls rhythm chamber made for a stimulating setting that provided all of the necessary theatrical elements to carry out the storyline in grand fashion.
Despite controversy relating to the group’s Satanic theme early on during the band’s inception, which had proven to be especially problematic for the band in the United States, Ghost has since become accepted by mainstream America and continues to spark curiosity and favor from those who have not previously witnessed their elaborate rock theater and stunning stagecraft first hand.
Touring in support of their fourth studio album, Prequelle, which was released in June 2018 and nominated for the Best Rock Album Grammy Award at the 61st annual awards ceremony, Ghost shows no signs of retreat. Likewise, Ghost’s first single from Prequelle, “Rats” debuted on April 12, 2018 and topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs Chart three short months later in addition to being nominated for the Best Rock Song Grammy Award during the same ceremony.
SETLIST:
Ashes
Rats
Absolution
Ritual
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Faith
Cirice
Miasma
Year Zero
Mummy Dust
Dance Macabre
Square Hammer
CONCERT REVIEW RATING SCALE:
1 = Poor
2 = Average
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
5 = Extraordinary
GHOST CONCERT RATING: 5
THE FESTIVAL: CHICAGO OPEN AIRCHICAGO OPEN AIR @ Seatgeek Stadium - Bridgeview, IL
May 18th & May 19th, 2019
Featured Acts: System of a Down, Tool, Ghost, The Prodigy, Meshuggah, Gojira, Beartooth, In This Moment, Code Orange, Fever 333 and Many More!
Founded in 2016, Chicago Open Air Presents is the premier, all ages outdoor music festival in Illinois with two incredible days of world-class rock music featuring System of a Down, Tool, The Prodigy, Ghost, Meshuggah, Gojira, Beartooth, In This Moment, Code Orange, Fever 333, Knocked Loose, The Black Dahlia Murder, Vein & Alien Weaponry!
Address: 7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455 Website: www.ChicagoOpenAir.comwww.Facebook.com/ChiOpenAir
